Skip to content

A patient’s guide to treating dental emergencies

    Oral emergencies are of many kinds. The majority of dental emergencies are relevant to bleeding gums, excessive pain, or dental trauma. Some dental injuries require immediate action, while others are less urgent. If you are unable to access a dental clinic, you may call a doctor for help. The rapidity of action after the injury determines the outcome of the treatment.

     

    Here are a few types of oral emergencies that require immediate reaction

     

    In the case of dental emergencies, you must take immediate action. 

     

    Tooth avulsion or knock out

     

    A knocked-out tooth requires immediate action by the dentist. A tooth can be broken due to a particular type of injury or through some external force. In the case of a tooth avulsion, it is essential to take the necessary steps so that you can save it. If you experience your tooth withdrawn from the socket, you can relocate it by undergoing the right procedure. Although the chances to replace the tooth reduce after an hour yet, here are some steps you can follow to spare no effort.

     

    • ​The most crucial thing to do after a tooth avulsion is to keep your cool.
    • Try to contact your dentist.
    • ​Gently hold the tooth by the crown and avoid touching the bottom.
    • ​In case of excessive bleeding, wash the tooth in plain water. Avoid using soap or rubbing off any particle stuck on the tooth.
    • To increase the chances of replacing the tooth, try holding it in the place it has been knocked out from or at least put it in a container full of milk.
    • Wash off the excess blood from your mouth using warm water.
    • Soothe facial injury with the help of cold compress.

     

    When treatment cannot help

     

    In the case of children, tooth knockout can be easily saved. Sometimes it is easy to fix the avulsed tooth with the help of a root canal. However, in some cases where the bone is damaged, a dental implant is the only option. An oral implant is an artificial tooth placed between your natural teeth. The advancement in dentistry has made the procedure natural.

     

    Fissured or broken tooth

     

    A chipped or broken tooth is less severe than a tooth knocked out. Fissures or cracks occur due to excessive pressure at the time of biting or chewing hard substances. Your medical practitioner may suggest fixing your broken tooth by replacing the dental crown. A large crack in the tooth may require a lot of filling that weakens the dental area.

     

    Oral trauma due to dental injuries

     

    The majority of traumatic dental injuries are the result of an accident. In such a case, your tooth may get dislodged and requires immediate dental care. At such a juncture, the patient must consult an Endodontist who will detect an additional hidden injury through a dental examination. Endodontists are specialized dental doctors for traumatic oral care. 

     

    An abscess around your gums or teeth

     

    Sometimes delay in treatment results in the development of an abscess in your mouth. Tooth or gum abscess leads to a traumatized dental problem due to the pocket of puss in the root area of your infected tooth; as such, some patients suffer from severe toothache, inflammation, and sometimes fever. A tooth abscess is a dental emergency and requires immediate treatment to prevent the infection from spreading.

     

    It is sensible to act quickly and consult an emergency dentist to save your tooth and get respite from the pain.